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The ancestors of medicine are the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), and *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), yet specific prescriptions were not transmitted. In formulating prescriptions, Zhang Zhongjing is foremost; subsequently, various schools established their own theories. Zhang Zhongjing treated winter-cold diseases, Liu Wansu elucidated warm-heat and summer-heat conditions, Li Guxia regulated the Spleen and Stomach, Li Dongyuan discussed internal injury, Zhang Zihe attacked phlegm-fluid retention, and Zhu Danxi investigated Yin deficiency. These six masters are regarded as the patriarchs of medicine. Chao Yuanfang distinguished warm-heat and summer-heat from febrile diseases and heatstroke; Luo Qianfu differentiated internal injury into labor injury and food injury; [Yin Jun] (referring to a master discussing phlegm) separated phlegm-fluid retention into damp-phlegm and dry-phlegm; Wang Shuhe distinguished true Yin and true Yang from Yin deficiency. Their discussions are particularly clear and distinct. The ancients established theories, each possessing unique strengths. Integrating these strengths constitutes perfection. Having reviewed the works of various schools, I found that the profound mysteries of deficiency syndromes had not been fully explored. In mid-autumn of the Yisi year of the Yongzheng era, I purchased Mr. Qishi's *Li Xu Yuan Jian* (Essential Mirror for Managing Deficiency). It truly expounds upon what predecessors had not yet revealed. In treating Yin deficiency, he emphasizes clearing Metal (Lung); the Lung is the canopy of the five Zang organs. In treating Yang deficiency, he emphasizes strengthening the Middle (Spleen); the Spleen is the mother of all limbs and bones. His prescriptions are very simple, with few ingredients. The *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) records 365 herbs, modeling the degrees of the celestial sphere. Zhang Zhongjing's 113 prescriptions utilize 91 herbs from the *Ben Cao Jing*, incorporated into the *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage). Some align with the general principles of the classic, others with specific details; thus, it is detailed regarding cold damage, extending to other diseases. Mr. Qishi focuses exclusively on consumptive disease (Xu Lao), likely because wind, cold, summer-heat, and dampness often invade when the body is deficient. If the healthy Qi is solid, disease incidence is low; treating consumptive disease addresses the root, while other diseases are secondary matters. I have always paid attention to the governing Qi of the Six Qi, the advance and retreat of host and guest Qi, the multiplication and division of excess and deficiency, and how these lead to human illness. Those who do not understand diagnosing based on the governing Qi misprescribe more than half the time. *Yuan Jian* also incorporates these aspects. Therefore, Mr. Qishi's discussion on consumptive disease is akin to Zhang Zhongjing's discussion on cold damage; it does not emphasize one aspect to the exclusion of others. Han Yu stated that Mencius's merit was no less than that of Yu the Great; is Mr. Qishi inferior to Zhang Zhongjing? The Way of Medicine is vast and subtle. One cannot discuss medicine with those who do not understand Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. One cannot discuss medicine with those who do not comprehend Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. My knowledge is shallow and ignorant, and I feel ashamed for not having thoroughly mastered it. I only hope that practitioners will extensively search and investigate, grasping its core principles. Then our Way would be fortunate! And the world would be fortunate!
Early Summer of the Xinmao Year of the Qianlong Era, Ke Huaizu of Guwu, inscribed at Fuyun Studio.